Moving savings guide: 12 ways to save on your move

Moving can be expensive and no matter how well you budget, surprise expenses can pop up along the way. After you’ve saved up for a down payment on your new home, or stashed away enough money to put down deposits at your next apartment, you’ve got logistical expenses, like paying movers, along with some of the more fun costs that come along with feathering your nest.

We’ve put together a savings guide to help you save with each step of your move — from the move-out phase all the way through to getting settled in your new home.

Here’s 12 ways to save on your next move.

1. Meal plan:

About a month before you move, start planning out some meals for the coming weeks to avoid wasting the foods you’ve got in your freezer and pantry that would be cumbersome to move, but wasteful to throw away. Need help coming up with a meal idea for the hodgepodge of food items you have? Check out Supercook, a site that lets you plug in your ingredients and then directs you to recipes.

2. Tidy up:

If you’re moving out of a rental, do your best to get your deposit back. See if the leasing office has a move-out check list to assist with your move-out. Ask to be present at the time of the walk-through. Check with your leasing professional on some common expenses. For example, it might be cost-efficient for you to replace the drip pans on the stove. (You can order drip pans from Walmart and earn Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com.) Aside from cleaning, take the time to patch up any holes you’ve left in the walls and make sure you move everything out so you don’t get any removal charges deducted from your deposit.

3. Save on a mover:

If you’re planning to hire a mover, check Groupon for savings. Several local moving service companies offer deals on Groupon, plus you can piggyback your savings by earning up to 6 percent Cash Back on your Groupon purchases through ShopAtHome.com. Other services worth checking out on Groupon when you’re moving? You can find deals on storage spaces. Or, you can find housecleaning services, which might be a worthwhile investment to ensure you get your deposit back on a rental property. Landscapers and interior designers also run deals to get your new digs in tip-top shape.

4. Save on moving and storage boxes:

Ready to box up your house? There are tons of places to find free boxes. Check with your office or workplace to see if they have boxes (printer paper boxes are extremely sturdy). Local midsize retailers or liquor stores can also be a jackpot. If you prefer to buy, pick up boxes from Home Depot and earn Cash Back on your purchases with ShopAtHome.com. Also, consider more durable containers for goods like holiday decorations or seasonal clothing that you plan to keep in storage.

5. Move during the off-season:

If possible, schedule your move during the off-season of September to May and book your rental trucks and movers mid-week when demand is lower.

6. Ask for employer reimbursements:

If you’re moving for work, check in with your company’s Human Resources Department to see whether there are any relocation incentives or reimbursements for moving costs. If your employer isn’t chipping in, be sure to save receipts for any move-related expenses because you may qualify for a deduction come tax time. Come tax time, save on your Turbo Tax purchase with ShopAtHome.com.

7. Check in with your real-estate agent:

If you just purchased a home, be sure to check with your real estate agent. Some have their own moving truck you can use for free as an incentive. Or, others may partner with moving companies that offer discounts in return for the referrals.

8. Bundle your subscriptions:

Once you’re moved in and are getting your utilities set up, look into bundling your services. For example, some companies partner and will give you discounts if you commit to Internet service and cable through the partner companies.

10. Reconsider cable:

Moving time is a great time to take inventory of your subscriptions and services. The average cable bill last year was $99, which is a big expense if you are hardly watching television. Consider canceling your cable subscription and instead subscribing to Netflix, which streams thousands of television shows and movies that are commercial-free. Plans start under $10 per month. Plus, streaming services like Netflix are revolutionizing television, offering exclusive programming with popular shows like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards. While you can stream shows and movies from your tablet and computer, if you want to stream from your television, you might need to make a one-time investment in a player — like an Apple TV or Roku device, both of which you can purchase from Best Buy and get Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com. Get a free one-month trial from Netflix.

11. Visit your local dollar store:

You’ll be able to stock up on household items like batteries, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, holiday decorations and more to stock up your home.

12. Stock up your kitchen and save on groceries:

Once you’re moved in and it’s time to fill up your new refrigerator, head to the grocery store with free coupons from ShopAtHome.com.

Brittany Anas is a former newspaper reporter who became hooked on fashion in the early 1990s when her mom sewed her a pair of MC Hammer pants and matching headband. Brittany lives in Denver and loves spending time with her southern gentleman of a boyfriend and their pot-belly pig-gremlin mix described by the rescue group as a “Boston Terrier.” She fancies polka dots, Detroit Pistons basketball and brunch. Brittany blogs at LoisLaneLifestyle.blogspot.com and tweets from @BrittanyAnas. Find her on Pinterest and Google+.